Monster Enegy Pipeline Pro 2007

Braden Diaz

Everything that could go wrong...fingers were crossed for a possible back-to-back 2nd day of the Monster Energy Pro at Pipeline, after a good first round start yesterday under 4'-6' sheer glass conditions (until the storm winds ripped 'er apart at noon).

The weather front passed by quickly, through the night, winds backed off before dawn and voila! no swell. Lump and slop alacarte were all that Pipe could offer contestants for breakfast. Not even a heated bagel, there wasn't a tube to be found anywhere along the North Shore, so officials pulled the plug on the event, and will now retreat into their fall-out shelters in preperation for the 15'+bomb swell that are forecast to roll in and over the Country through Tuesday.

The weather service folks are calling for yet another even bigger swell right behind that, accompanied by more howling on-shores and rain. Welcome to your classic Winter in Hawaii, kids. Everyone's waxed 'n ready for Round 2 of the Monster Energy Pro, just without the Monster weather that's gonna keep the islands in its grip for a while. - Bernie Baker

________________________________________________ PRESS RELEASE

MONSTROUS CONDITIONS ON THE WAY FOR MONSTER ENERGY PRO, presented by Billabong

Honolulu - (Saturday, January 27, 2007) - Banzai Pipeline, on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, was a picture of paradise for the opening day of competition for the $75,000 Monster Energy Pipeline Pro, presented by Billabong, today. Waves of around six feet were as flawless as the warm winter weather for the first round of action, allowing many international surfers to ease into what are forecast to become monstrous conditions in the coming days.

In start contrast to today's azure skies and ocean, the National Weather Service is warning of threatening conditions that may deem Pipeline unrideable for the next three or four days. A precursor to the approaching storms, onshore winds came in mid-afternoon to put a hold on the Monster Energy Pro today. Waves over the next three days may reach as high as 40 feet (full face heights), however strong onshore winds will adversely affect the quality of surf.

Tamayo Perry

In typical style, round one delivered a mixed bag of results and plenty of early surprises for competitors today. Kauai's Alex Smith, just 16 years of age, and 24-year-old Peruvian Alvaro Malpartida, both relative unknowns in the international Pipeline arena, made their mark. Smith displayed tube-riding perfection in the closing moments of his 20 minute heat to post a perfect 10 point ride, while Malpartida strung together strong back-to-back scores for the highest heat total of the day: 15.75 out of a maximum 20 points.

Surprizing eliminations included that of Pipeline standout Mark Healey and former Monster Energy Pipeline Pro champion Tom Dosland (Maui), who came off second-best to the increasingly inconsistent waves and lack of tube-riding opportunities that came with the onshore winds.

On hand to experience the action today were Monster Sweepstakes winners from around the nation, who won VIP passes to Hawaii to be front row at the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro today. Mississippi's Brandon Lewis, one of several Sweepstakes winners who are in Hawaii for the first time, described today's waves as "the biggest he'd ever seen".

"These waves are just incredible," said Lewis. "I can't even imagine what it's going to be like in a few days time."

All of the Monster Sweepstake winners will be on hand to witness the monstrous waves forecast for Monday and Tuesday. They will be on Oahu until Wednesday, January 31st.

Organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning to assess conditions. The holding period for the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro event runs through February 9th. Three days of competition remain and will take place on the biggest and best days of surf available.

All the action and results can be found on:

www.billabongpro.com

www.monsterenergypro.com